Page 77 of Her Hat Trick Daddies
Wyatt’s obnoxiousness and Shane’s temper were never going to mix, but right now? This is a powder keg ready to blow. Even from outside, I can hear Luna crying her lungs out, and it’sshredding whatever thin thread of calm I have left. I’m a grump by nature, but it takes a hell of a lot to piss me off.
And Wyatt nailed it. To a T.
I hate that it’s come to this. Hate that her family is learning about Shane like this. Hate that what should’ve been a conversation about moving Leighton and Luna in with me has turned into a straight dumpster fire. None of this was how tonight was supposed to go.
“So,” Wyatt snaps, eyes locked on Shane, “if you knocked up my sister… are these other two here for moral support?”
“Dammit, Wyatt,” Leighton cuts in, exasperated. “I already told you, they’re all hockey players.”
He whips around to her, eyes blazing. “Yeah? Well, evidently, Shane here is a hell of a lot more than just a teammate. And I’m still not buying whatever crap you’re selling about furniture placement. I’m a cop, Leigh. I’m not fucking blind.”
She scoffs, loud and sharp, clearly questioning his intelligence now.
“We work together. Or have you forgotten that talking sports is my actual job?”
“I haven’t forgotten,” he snaps back, “but have you? If these are just your so-called colleagues, why are you in your home likethiswiththem? And at this hour? That’s crazy.”
I can see it hit her. Wyatt’s words wound deep. She’s proud of her job, always has been, and his cheap shot is low, even withoutknowing the truth: not only Shane, but Andy and I have all been with her since she moved to Denver.
But Leighton rallies fast, squaring her shoulders and standing tall. “You and Dad can’t control my life anymore. And it’s driving you crazy.But guess what, Wyatt? I’m a grown woman. I don’t need you flying across the country to try to boss me around.”
“I’ve never tried to control you,” he protests.
She lets out a bitter laugh. “Oh, please. You’ve tried to control where I go, what I do, who I see. But that ends now, big brother. I love you, but this ismylife. I call the shots. Not you.” She spins and points toward the house. “Not Dad.” Then she wheels on us. “And not you, you, or you.”
“Oh, darlin’, I wouldn’t even dream of trying,” Andy says, calm as ever.
“Darlin’?” Wyatt spits the word like venom, and I freeze, every muscle locking down. “He calls youdarlin’?What the hell is he to you? Shit, howoldis he, Leigh?” His eyes snap from Andy to Shane to me. I don’t move a muscle, don’t even look at Leighton. But Wyatt’s a bloodhound, pointing at each of us in turn. “No. No, no,no.”
“Wyatt—” Leighton tries to cut him off, but it’s too damn late.
“What the fuck is this, Leigh? You’re with them?With them?” He spits, voice thick with revulsion.
Leighton’s response doesn’t do much to douse the fire.
“That’s none of your business.”
Wyatt ignores her, plowing ahead. “So let me get this straight. This one,” he jabs a finger at Shane, “is your baby daddy. But you’re what… I can’t even say it.” His face wrinkles in disgust.
I keep my expression flat, but it’s useless. Wyatt can feel it, like a cop sniffing out blood.
“So, let me get this straight. If Dad and I had shown up a little later… would we have walked in on something else?” His guess hits a little too close, and even though we barely shift, the tension is screaming loud enough for anyone to hear.
“Damn it, Leigh,” Wyatt snaps. “What the hell have you become? What would Mom think if she were still alive?”
Leighton scoffs in disbelief. Her hand flies back, trembling, eyes shining with tears, but before she can land the slap across his face, Wyatt grabs her wrist, hard, and yanks it down.
“How dare you bring her name up!” she shouts, her voice cracking, teeth bared.
And how dare he lay a hand on her. My blood spikes. Shane and Andy are already moving, and I’m right behind them.
Shane gets there first.
His fist smashes into Wyatt’s jaw with a sick crack, snapping his head back a step.“Don’t. Touch. Her,” Shane snarls, eyes blazing like he’s seconds from going feral.
I’m quick, but Shane’s always been quicker. Andy’s already thrown himself in front of Leighton, shielding her. I close thedistance fast, not sure if I’m about to pull Shane off or join in. Probably both.
Wyatt stumbles, but doesn’t fall. He shakes it off and steps right back in, shoving Shane with both hands, hard.
